CUC to remove trees near power lines
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. can now begin removing trees and vegetation that affect power lines after Gov. Juan N. Babauta signed into law Friday a measure restricting the planting of trees below and around power lines and facilities to prevent hazardous incidents and power outages.
Babauta affixed his signature on House Bill 14-112, which passed the Senate Thursday on Rota, in response to calls for a restrictive measure that needs to be put in place to prevent outages brought on by trees planted near power lines and facilities.
The measure stated that that there have been numerous power outages when trees and vegetation come in contact with power lines. “Not only do these power outages create inconveniences for the general public, they also unnecessarily result in additional costs to the operation of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.,” it reads.
The bill amended Title 4, Division 8, Chapter 2, and Section 8211 of the Commonwealth Code, specifying that no tree or vegetation that has the potential to grow to more than one-and-a-half the height of a power line shall be planted within 12 feet of a power line.
Private land owners, lessees, and renters are urged to comply and CUC would be responsible for the first removal of noncompliant trees and vegetation surrounding all primary and secondary lines. The utility company would shoulder the cost of this operation within one year upon the approval of the new law.
The measure also authorized CUC in promulgating rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the Act.
Under the new measure, violators would be subject to civil penalty not less than $5,000 and not to exceed $10,000 for each violation. It added that persons found violating the law may also be assessed with fines by CUC of not more than $300.
Primary lines are those that deliver electricity at voltages over 600 volts; secondary lines are those that deliver electricity at voltages ranging from 120 to 600 volts.
